Everett McDowell

September 17, 1931 - August 21, 2020

Everett McDowell, 88, of Grand Island passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Friday, August 21, 2020. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island, NE. CDC guidelines and social distancing will be followed; face masks will be required. We are trying to protect those most vulnerable. Services will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, August 28, 2020 in Smith Center, KS with visitation from 11 to 12 at Simmons-Rentschler Mortuary at 116 W 1st St, Smith Center, KS 66967. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery at Smith Center, KS. Memorials are designated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Everett was born September 17, 1931, oldest son of Glen and Helen (Schalansky) McDowell in Webster, KS. Everett graduated the eighth grade from a country school in Smith County, Kansas. He pursued his love for the land, buying his first farmstead consisting of 250 acres at sixteen years old, and eventually fulfilling his dream of having one thousand acres and one hundred head of cattle. On September 25, 1955, Everett married the love of his life, Joleen Holmes beginning their life together on their farm near Athol in Smith County. They loved their farm and caring for the land. In 1976 they were called to serve as ordained elders in the World Wide Church of God and moved to Grand Island. They made a life together with love and teamwork in raising their nine children. In addition to serving in the church, he started McDowell and Sons Lawn Care Service in Grand Island. During the 35 plus years he owned the business, he gave many youth their first job opportunity and instilled in them a strong work ethic. He took pride in a job well done and keeping everything in its place. Everett enjoyed gardening with Joleen. They always had a large garden and readily shared their harvest with others. He delighted in growing many types of flowers, especially roses. He played a mean game of pitch and loved playing Risk with his grandkids, but his real competitive spirit showed while playing mini golf. Everett is survived by his children, Brenda Struble of Medford, OK, Brian (Debra) McDowell of Weston, MO, Brice McDowell of Phoenix, AZ, Blake (Delonna) McDowell of Grand Island; Beverly (DeForest) Walker of Loveland, CO, Beth (Mike) Lebeda of Medford, OK, Bridget (Tony) Tatum of Wichita, KS, and Becky McDowell (Clark Gauthier) of Grand Island; daughter-in-law, Rhonda McDowell of Spokane, WA; 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; brothers, Duane “John” and Jerald “Sam”; sisters, Pauline, Carol “Dot” and Ellen “Dee”; along with several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Joleen, on March 8, 2020; son, Brad on January 6, 2020; his parents; sisters, Glennis, Joyce, Loretta, Margaret, and Terry; and daughter-in-law, Cindi McDowell.